The Iliad of Homer, Homer [e books free to read .TXT] 📗

also rouse
Yet others; Diomede the spear-renown'd,
Ulysses, the swift Ajax, and the son
Of Phyleus, valiant Meges. It were well130
Were others also visited and call'd,
The godlike Ajax, and Idomeneus,
Whose ships are at the camp's extremest bounds.
241 But though I love thy brother and revere,
And though I grieve e'en thee, yet speak I must,135
And plainly censure him, that thus he sleeps
And leaves to thee the labor, who himself
Should range the host, soliciting the Chiefs
Of every band, as utmost need requires.

Him answer'd Agamemnon, King of men.140
Old warrior, times there are, when I could wish
Myself thy censure of him, for in act
He is not seldom tardy and remiss.
Yet is not sluggish indolence the cause,
No, nor stupidity, but he observes145
Me much, expecting till I lead the way.
But he was foremost now, far more alert
This night than I, and I have sent him forth
Already, those to call whom thou hast named.
But let us hence, for at the guard I trust150
To find them, since I gave them so in charge.[3]

To whom the brave Gerenian Chief replied.
Him none will censure, or his will dispute,
Whom he shall waken and exhort to rise.

So saying, he bound his corselet to his breast,155
His sandals fair to his unsullied feet,
And fastening by its clasps his purple cloak
Around him, double and of shaggy pile,
Seized, next, his sturdy spear headed with brass,
And issued first into the Grecian fleet.160
There, Nestor, brave Gerenian, with a voice
Sonorous roused the godlike counsellor
From sleep, Ulysses; the alarm came o'er
His startled ear, forth from his tent he sprang
Sudden, and of their coming, quick, inquired.165

Why roam ye thus the camp and fleet alone
In darkness? by what urgent need constrain'd?

To whom the hoary Pylian thus replied.
Laertes' noble son, for wiles renown'd!
242 Resent it not, for dread is our distress.170
Come, therefore, and assist us to convene
Yet others, qualified to judge if war
Be most expedient, or immediate flight.

He ended, and regaining, quick, his tent,
Ulysses slung his shield, then coming forth175
Join'd them. The son of Tydeus first they sought.
Him sleeping arm'd before his tent they found,
Encompass'd by his friends also asleep;
His head each rested on his shield, and each
Had planted on its nether point[4] erect180
His spear beside him; bright their polish'd heads,
As Jove's own lightning glittered from afar.
Himself, the Hero, slept. A wild bull's hide
Was spread beneath him, and on arras tinged
With splendid purple lay his head reclined.185
Nestor, beside him standing, with his heel
Shook him, and, urgent, thus the Chief reproved.

Awake, Tydides! wherefore givest the night
Entire to balmy slumber? Hast not heard
How on the rising ground beside the fleet190
The Trojans sit, small interval between?

He ceased; then up sprang Diomede alarm'd
Instant, and in wing'd accents thus replied.

Old wakeful Chief! thy toils are never done.
Are there not younger of the sons of Greece,195
Who ranging in all parts the camp, might call
The Kings to council? But no curb controls
Or can abate activity like thine.

To whom Gerenian Nestor in return.
My friend! thou hast well spoken. I have sons,200
And they are well deserving; I have here
A numerous people also, one of whom
Might have sufficed to call the Kings of Greece.
But such occasion presses now the host
243 As hath not oft occurr'd; the overthrow205
Complete, or full deliverance of us all,
In balance hangs, poised on a razor's edge.
But haste, and if thy pity of my toils
Be such, since thou art younger, call, thyself,
Ajax the swift, and Meges to the guard.210

Then Diomede a lion's tawny skin
Around him wrapp'd, dependent to his heels,
And, spear in hand, set forth. The Hero call'd
Those two, and led them whither Nestor bade.

They, at the guard arrived, not sleeping found215
The captains of the guard, but sitting all
In vigilant posture with their arms prepared.
As dogs that, careful, watch the fold by night,
Hearing some wild beast in the woods,[5] which hounds
And hunters with tumultuous clamor drive220
Down from the mountain-top, all sleep forego;
So, sat not on their eyelids gentle sleep
That dreadful night, but constant to the plain
At every sound of Trojan feet they turn'd.
The old Chief joyful at the sight, in terms225
Of kind encouragement them thus address'd.

So watch, my children! and beware that sleep
Invade none here, lest all become a prey.

So saying, he traversed with quick pace the trench
By every Chief whom they had thither call'd230
Attended, with whom Nestor's noble son
Went, and Meriones, invited both
To join their consultation. From the foss
Emerging, in a vacant space they sat,
Unstrew'd with bodies of the slain, the spot,235
Whence furious Hector, after slaughter made
Of numerous Greeks, night falling, had return'd.
There seated, mutual converse close they held,
And Nestor, brave Gerenian, thus began.

244 Oh friends! hath no Achaian here such trust240
In his own prowess, as to venture forth
Among yon haughty Trojans? He, perchance,
Might on the borders of their host surprise
Some wandering adversary, or might learn
Their consultations, whether they propose245
Here to abide in prospect of the fleet,
Or, satiate with success against the Greeks
So signal, meditate retreat to Troy.
These tidings gain'd, should he at last return
Secure, his recompense will be renown250
Extensive as the heavens, and fair reward.
From every leader of the fleet, his gift
Shall be a sable[6] ewe, and sucking lamb,
Rare acquisition! and at every board
And sumptuous banquet, he shall be a guest.255

He ceased, and all sat silent, when at length
The mighty son of Tydeus thus replied.

Me, Nestor, my courageous heart incites
To penetrate into the neighbor host
Of enemies; but went some other Chief260
With me, far greater would my comfort prove,
And I should dare the more. Two going forth,
One quicker sees than other, and suggests
Prudent advice; but he who single goes,
Mark whatsoe'er he may, the occasion less265
Improves, and his expedients soon exhausts.

He ended, and no few willing arose
To go with Diomede. Servants of Mars
Each Ajax willing stood; willing as they
Meriones; most willing Nestor's son;270
Willing the brother of the Chief of all,
Nor willing less Ulysses to explore
The host of Troy, for he possess'd a heart
Delighted ever with some bold exploit.

Then Agamemnon, King of men, began.275
245 Now Diomede, in whom my soul delights!
Choose whom thou wilt for thy companion; choose
The fittest here; for numerous wish to go.
Leave not through deference to another's rank,
The more deserving, nor prefer a worse,280
Respecting either pedigree or power.

Such speech he interposed, fearing his choice
Of Menelaus; then, renown'd in arms
The son of Tydeus, rising, spake again.

Since, then, ye bid me my own partner choose285
Free from constraint, how can I overlook
Divine Ulysses, whose courageous heart
With such peculiar cheerfulness endures
Whatever toils, and whom Minerva loves?
Let him attend me, and through fire itself290
We shall return; for none is wise as he.[7]

To him Ulysses, hardy Chief, replied.
Tydides! neither praise me much, nor blame,
For these are Grecians in whose ears thou speak'st,
And know me well. But let us hence! the night295
Draws to a close; day comes apace; the stars
Are far advanced; two portions have elapsed
Of darkness, but the third is yet entire.

So they; then each his dreadful arms put on.
To Diomede, who at the fleet had left300
His own, the dauntless Thrasymedes gave
His shield and sword two-edged, and on his head
Placed, crestless, unadorn'd, his bull-skin casque.
It was a stripling's helmet, such as youths
Scarce yet confirm'd in lusty manhood, wear.305
Meriones with quiver, bow and sword
Furnish'd Ulysses, and his brows enclosed
In his own casque of hide with many a thong
246 Well braced within;[8] guarded it was without
With boar's teeth ivory-white inherent firm310
On all sides, and with woolen head-piece lined.
That helmet erst Autolycus[9] had brought
From Eleon, city of Amyntor son
Of Hormenus, where he the solid walls
Bored through, clandestine, of Amyntor's house.315
He on Amphidamas the prize bestow'd
In Scandia;[10] from Amphidamas it pass'd
To Molus as a hospitable pledge;
He gave it to Meriones his son,
And now it guarded shrewd Ulysses' brows.320
Both clad in arms terrific, forth they sped,
Leaving their fellow Chiefs, and as they went
A heron, by command of Pallas, flew
Close on the right beside them; darkling they
Discern'd him not, but heard his clanging plumes.[11]325
Ulysses in the favorable sign
Exulted, and Minerva thus invoked.[12]

247 Oh hear me, daughter of Jove Ægis-arm'd!
My present helper in all straits, whose eye
Marks all my ways, oh with peculiar care330
Now guard me, Pallas! grant that after toil
Successful, glorious, such as long shall fill
With grief the Trojans, we may safe return
And with immortal honors to the fleet.

Valiant Tydides, next, his prayer preferr'd.335
Hear also me, Jove's offspring by the toils
Of war invincible! me follow now
As my heroic father erst to Thebes
Thou followedst, Tydeus; by the Greeks dispatch'd
Ambassador, he left the mail-clad host340
Beside Asopus, and with terms of peace
Entrusted, enter'd Thebes; but by thine aid
Benevolent, and in thy strength, perform'd
Returning, deeds of terrible renown.
Thus, now, protect me also! In return345
I vow an offering at thy shrine, a young
Broad-fronted heifer, to the yoke as yet
Untamed, whose horns I will incase with gold.

Such prayer they made, and Pallas heard well pleased.
Their orisons ended to the daughter dread350
Of mighty Jove, lion-like they advanced
Through shades of night, through carnage, arms and blood.

Nor Hector to his gallant host indulged
Sleep, but convened the leaders; leader none
Or senator of all his host he left355
Unsummon'd, and his purpose thus promulged.

Where is the warrior who for rich reward,
Such as shall well suffice him, will the task
Adventurous, which I propose, perform?
A chariot with two steeds of proudest height,360
Surpassing all in the whole fleet of Greece
Shall be his portion, with immortal praise,
Who shall the well-appointed ships approach
Courageous, there to learn if yet a guard
248 As heretofore, keep them, or if subdued365
Beneath us, the Achaians flight intend,
And worn with labor have no will to watch.

So Hector spake, but answer none return'd.
There was a certain Trojan, Dolon named,[13]
Son of Eumedes herald of the Gods,370
Rich both in gold and brass, but in his form
Unsightly; yet the man was swift of foot,
Sole brother of five sisters; he his speech
To Hector and the Trojans thus address'd.

My spirit, Hector, prompts me, and my mind375
Endued with manly vigor, to approach
Yon gallant ships, that I may tidings hear.
But come. For my assurance, lifting high
Thy sceptre, swear to me, for my reward,
The horses and the brazen chariot bright380
Which bear renown'd Achilles o'er the field.
I will not prove a useless spy, nor fall
Below thy best opinion; pass I will
Their army through, 'till I shall reach the ship
Of Agamemnon, where the Chiefs, perchance,385
Now sit consulting, or to fight, or fly.[14]

249 Then raising high his sceptre, Hector sware
Know, Jove himself, Juno's high-thundering spouse!
That Trojan none shall in that chariot ride
By those steeds drawn, save Dolon; on my oath390
I make them thine; enjoy them evermore.

He said, and falsely sware, yet him assured.
Then Dolon, instant, o'er his shoulder slung
His bow elastic, wrapp'd himself around
With a grey wolf-skin, to his head a casque395
Adjusted, coated o'er with ferret's felt,
And seizing his sharp javelin, from the host
Turn'd right toward the fleet, but was ordain'd
To disappoint his sender, and to bring
No tidings thence. The throng of Trojan steeds400
And warriors left, with brisker pace he moved,
When brave Ulysses his approach perceived,
And thus to Diomede his speech address'd.

Tydides! yonder man is from the host;
Either a spy he comes, or with intent405
To spoil the dead. First, freely let him pass
Few paces, then pursuing him with speed,
Seize on him suddenly; but should he prove
The nimbler of the three, with threatening spear
Enforce him from his camp toward the fleet,410
Lest he elude us, and escape to Troy.

So they; then, turning from the road oblique,
Among the carcases each laid him down.
Dolon, suspecting nought, ran swiftly by.
[15]But when such space was interposed as mules415
Plow in a day (for mules the ox surpass
Through fallows deep drawing the ponderous plow)
Both ran toward him. Dolon at the sound
Stood; for he hoped some Trojan friends at hand
From Hector sent to bid him back again.420
But when